Lawmakers restore meth cleanup funding

ST. LOUIS, MO — The war on methamphetamines (meth) has gotten a boost from Congress, to the tune of millions of dollars to clean up the toxic waste generated by clandestine labs, according to the Associated Press.

On Friday, President Barack Obama signed a wide-ranging appropriations bill, which included the restoration of $12.5 million for meth lab cleanup, the article stated.

According to the article, the measure restores funding that was lost in February, when federal meth lab cleanup money through the Community Oriented Policing Services program ran out and was not renewed.

The loss of funding was devastating for communities hit hard by meth, as many local police and sheriff''s departments were less likely to seek out labs they couldn''t afford to clean up, the article noted.

Lawmakers from both parties applauded the restoration of the cleanup money, saying meth abuse "destroys communities, tearing families apart and devastating our environment — with every pound of meth producing five to six pounds of toxic waste," the article added.